Uncle Sam Cereal

Uncle Sam Cereal is a ready-to eat breakfast cereal, first introduced in 1908 by U.S. Mills of Omaha, Nebraska. The company relocated to Needham, Massachusetts sometime after the 1970s.

In 1908, company founder Lafayette Coltrin of Omaha was instructed by his personal physician to add flaxseed to his diet. Coltrin so enjoyed the taste of toasted flaxseed on whole wheat flakes that he ate during breakfast that he decided to market the combination. Given his resemblance to Uncle Sam, Coltrin named his new cereal after the mythical patriotic character. The top-hatted silhouette of "Uncle Sam" on the side of the box is actually Coltrin's, or so the story goes.

The cereal consists solely of vitamin-enriched toasted whole wheat kernels pressed flat into flakes. Whole toasted flaxseed is then mixed with the flakes. The result is a high-fiber, ready-to-eat cereal with a low glycemic index and, because of the flaxseed, an exceptionally high amount of omega-3 per serving.

The brand has expanded in recent years to include a version with freeze-dried berries, instant oatmeal and flavored cereal bars.

Benefits of Uncle Sam Cereal

A 3/4 cup serving contains: 190 calories, 40 from fat; total fat 5 g; trans fat 0 g; cholesterol 0 mg; sodium 135 mg; potassium 250 mg; total carbohydrates 38 g; dietary fiber 10 g; soluble fiber 2 g; insoluble fiber 8 g; sugars less than 1 g.

It contains the following daily values: vitamin C 2%; calcium 4%; iron 10%; thiamin 50%; riboflavin 50%; niacin 50%; phosphorus 20%; magnesium 25%.

Ingredients: whole wheat kernels, whole flaxseed, salt, barley malt, niacin, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1).

External links

* [http://www.usmillsinc.com/usmills/search.php?brand=5 Official U.S. Mills "Uncle Sam" page]